Serena Williams has "always looked up to" Muhammad Ali

US Open champion Serena Williams has said that boxing legend Muhammad Ali is an individual that has inspired her throughout her career.

The 30-year-old collected her 15th Grand Slam singles title by beating world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-2 2-6 7-5 on Saturday evening.

"I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall," said Williams.

"I have fallen several times. Each time I just get up and I dust myself off and I pray I'm able to do better or able to get back to the level that I want to be on.

"I think, for me, you see great people like Muhammad Ali, for instance, who is a person I have always looked up to in sports."

Ali and Williams are both Olympic gold medal winners. Ali's sole triumph came in the 1960 Rome Games as a light-heavyweight, while Williams was a champion in Sydney, Beijing and twice in London.